New Fanno Creek Trail segment now open

A "missing link" in the popular Fanno Creek Regional Trail has been completed and is now open to bicyclists, joggers and walkers.

The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District finished the half-mile segment this week. It extends from the intersection of Scholls Ferry Road and Allen Blvd to the end of 105th Court (near the intersection of Denney Road and Highway 217).

Funded by system development charges, the $1.6 million project means users will be able to travel 4 ½ miles of largely continuous, paved trail between THPRD’s Garden Home Recreation Center and Tigard’s Englewood Park near Scholls Ferry Road.

“The Fanno Creek Trail is already very popular, and we expect it to be even more popular now that this new segment is finished,’’ said Hal Bergsma, THPRD’s director of Planning. “Until now, when trail users came to the missing link, they had to figure out on their own how to reconnect with the trail. Now, their path is mostly uninterrupted.’’

THPRD project manager Brad Hauschild said electronic sensors show that 70,000-80,000 people currently use the trail’s north segment each year, while 120,000 users pass through the trail’s south end tunnel at Scholls Ferry Road. He expects those numbers to increase now that the new segment is open.

The 10-foot-wide-trail addition features 11 boardwalks over wetland areas, offering users potential sightings of birds and other wildlife, including deer. In addition, thousands of native plants and shrubs will be planted along the restored stream corridor.

One small section of the new trail, near the City of Beaverton operations facility and Scholls Ferry Road, is temporarily unpaved. However, the compacted gravel segment is open to the public and usable. It was left unpaved until Washington County can complete plans for a future bridge replacement/road widening project. THPRD, the City of Beaverton and Washington County will work together to coordinate completion of the trail section with the bridge replacement/road widening, scheduled for this summer.

Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving more than 200,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include a wide variety of classes, 90 park sites with active recreational amenities, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,400 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503/645-6433.